ORIENTAL ORTHODOXY Meaning and
Definition
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Oriental Orthodoxy is a branch of Christianity that originated in the Eastern Roman Empire during the early centuries of Christianity. It refers to a group of Eastern Christian churches that adhere to a distinct theological and liturgical tradition, separate from both Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.
The term "Oriental" is derived from the Latin word "orient," meaning "east," indicating its origin in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. "Orthodoxy" refers to the adherence to correct doctrine and beliefs.
These churches include the Armenian Apostolic Church, Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and the Syriac Orthodox Church. They share a common faith, liturgy, and sacramental tradition, with slight variations in their practices and theological emphases.
Oriental Orthodoxy is characterized by its belief in the non-Chalcedonian Christology. This means they reject the Council of Chalcedon's definition of the nature of Christ, which emphasized the dual nature of Christ as fully divine and fully human. Instead, Oriental Orthodox churches believe in the "Miaphysite" understanding of Christology, teaching that Christ has one united divine-human nature.
The Oriental Orthodox churches have played a significant role in preserving early Christian traditions and the use of the ancient liturgical and sacramental practices. Throughout history, they have dealt with periods of persecution and have experienced various schisms and divisions, leading to the formation of different jurisdictions.
Overall, Oriental Orthodoxy represents a distinct family of Eastern Christian churches with a unique theological and liturgical heritage that sets them apart from other branches of Christianity.
Etymology of ORIENTAL ORTHODOXY
The term "Oriental Orthodoxy" refers to a branch of Christianity and its associated churches. The etymology of the term can be understood by breaking it down into its components:
1. "Oriental": This term originated from the Latin word "orientalis", which literally means "eastern" or "from the east". It was used to describe the cultures and civilizations of the Eastern world, particularly those in Asia and the Middle East. In the context of Christianity, the term "Oriental" is used to refer to its historical development and spread in the eastern regions of the Roman Empire.
2. "Orthodoxy": This word comes from the Greek "orthos" (meaning straight or correct) and "doxa" (meaning belief or doctrine). When combined, "orthodoxy" refers to the correct or orthodox belief or doctrine.
